If you’re refreshing your apps or scouring the TV guide to figure out who do the eagles play next weekend, I’ve got some tough news. There is no game.
The Philadelphia Eagles were knocked out of the 2026 NFL playoffs this past Sunday. It’s over.
It feels weird to say it, especially since this team entered the postseason as the reigning Super Bowl champions and the kings of the NFC East. But the dream of a repeat died on the grass of Lincoln Financial Field in a gritty, heart-wrenching 23-19 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
While the rest of the NFL world moves on to the Divisional Round on January 17th and 18th, the Birds are heading to the offseason. Honestly, it's a bitter pill to swallow for a city that was already planning another parade down Broad Street.
The Wild Card Heartbreak Explained
The question of who do the eagles play next weekend usually has an exciting answer this time of year. Last year, we were talking about championship matchups. This year, we’re talking about "what ifs."
The game against the 49ers was a slog. Brock Purdy basically played the game of his life, throwing for 262 yards and two touchdowns despite a fierce Philadelphia pass rush. The Eagles' defense, which had been so stout during their 11-6 regular season, just couldn't get the stop they needed when the clock was winding down.
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Saquon Barkley did his thing, racking up 131 yards on the ground. He looked like the best player on the field for most of the afternoon. But Jalen Hurts and the offense stalled in the red zone far too often. You can't settle for field goals against a team like San Francisco and expect to survive in January.
Why there is no game next weekend
Since the Eagles lost their Wild Card matchup, they are officially eliminated. In the NFL's single-elimination tournament, there are no second chances.
- Final Score: 49ers 23, Eagles 19.
- Result: San Francisco advances; Philadelphia goes home.
- Next Eagles Game: Not until the 2026 preseason in August.
It’s a weird reality to sink in. One week you're the favorite, the next you're looking at mock drafts.
Who is still playing next weekend?
Even though the Eagles aren't on the docket, the NFL Divisional Round is still happening. If you're a football junkie who just wants to watch the teams that took our spot, here is how the "next weekend" schedule looks for the rest of the league.
Saturday, January 17, 2026
The Buffalo Bills travel to face the Denver Broncos at 4:30 p.m. ET. Later that night, the team that beat us—the San Francisco 49ers—heads to Seattle to take on the top-seeded Seahawks at 8:00 p.m. ET.
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Watching the Niners and Seahawks go at it is going to be painful for Philly fans. That could have been us.
Sunday, January 18, 2026
The Houston Texans will be at the New England Patriots at 3:00 p.m. ET. To wrap up the weekend, the Los Angeles Rams visit the Chicago Bears at 6:30 p.m. ET.
The Bears actually beat the Eagles earlier this season on Black Friday, so that's another matchup that feels a little too close to home.
What happened to the 2025-2026 Eagles?
A lot of people are asking how an 11-6 team with this much talent exited so early. It wasn't just one thing. It was a combination of late-season fatigue and a few key injuries that finally caught up.
The Eagles finished 1st in the NFC East, which is usually a ticket to a deep run. However, the loss to the Washington Commanders in Week 18 really hurt. It took away some of the momentum. By the time the 49ers arrived for the Wild Card round, the Birds looked just a half-step slower than they did in October.
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We also have to talk about the defense. While they were ranked 6th against the pass for much of the year, they struggled when they couldn't get home with a four-man rush. Purdy exploited those gaps.
Looking ahead to the 2026 Season
So, if you can't search for who do the eagles play next weekend, what should you be looking for instead?
The 2026 opponents are already set. We know the Eagles will be playing a first-place schedule again because they won the division. That means games against the winners of the NFC North and NFC South, plus the usual NFC East grind.
2026 Home Opponents
- Dallas Cowboys
- New York Giants
- Washington Commanders
- Los Angeles Rams
- Seattle Seahawks
- Houston Texans
- Indianapolis Colts
- Carolina Panthers
- Pittsburgh Steelers
2026 Away Opponents
- Dallas Cowboys
- New York Giants
- Washington Commanders
- San Francisco 49ers
- Arizona Cardinals
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Tennessee Titans
- Chicago Bears
That road trip to San Francisco is already circled on my calendar. It's a revenge game, pure and simple.
Actionable Steps for Eagles Fans
Since there's no game to get ready for, here is how you should handle the next few days.
- Stop checking the bracket. It’s not going to change. The Eagles are out, and dwelling on the 49ers game will only make the "what could have been" feelings worse.
- Watch the Divisional Round as a neutral observer. There is some great football happening. The Bills vs. Broncos game looks like a classic, and seeing how the Seahawks handle the 49ers might give us some clues on how to beat San Francisco next year.
- Start scouting the draft. The Eagles will likely have a pick in the low 20s. We need help in the secondary and perhaps another explosive edge rusher. Names like Travis Hunter or top-tier defensive tackles will start popping up in rumors soon.
- Process the Saquon Barkley era. He had a monster year. 1,140 rushing yards in the regular season plus that huge Wild Card performance. The front office needs to make sure the window stays open for him and Jalen Hurts.
The quest for who do the eagles play next weekend ends here for this season. It’s a quiet January in Philadelphia, but the foundation for 2026 is already being laid. Keep your head up; the Birds will be back.